FAQ

Does it play music?

Yes. Songs plays supported audio files on your computer with lyrics, albums, artists, folders, shuffle, repeat and an Up next queue. Local playback is free. You can also keep using another music app and let 9xLyrics follow it. Recent and Saved keep listening history and starred lines separately. See Songs and Library.

Which players work?

Anything your operating system knows about — Spotify, Apple Music, VLC, a browser tab, a local file in whatever you open it with. The test is simple: if your keyboard's play/pause key controls it, 9xLyrics can usually see it. See Players and detection.

Do I need an account?

You need a number. Not an email address, not a password — a twelve-digit UID created in one click. See Your UID and devices.

Is it free?

The standard Lyrics Window is free, including automatic lyrics, the Library, local .lrc files, playback controls where supported, timing offsets and basic appearance. Pro adds every desktop overlay, Karaoke, Follow music player, choosing, editing and timing lyrics yourself, recognition, artwork backgrounds, animated highlighting and sharing. Creating a UID in the app starts a 3-day trial of everything. Free and Pro has the full split.

What happens when my licence ends?

Nothing is deleted and nothing is forgotten. The account returns to the free tier; every Pro setting you chose stays saved and comes back if you pay later, including lyrics you chose or saved for a song. The Library stays free.

Where do the lyrics come from?

From several lyric sources, matched by title, artist and length. Your own .lrc files are checked first and beat all of them.

Why does a song have no lyrics?

Because no source has synced lyrics for it. That is more common with new releases, remixes, live versions, classical and instrumental music. Searching manually finds a fair share of them — a (Remastered 2011) in the title is often the whole problem.

Can I fix a wrong match?

Yes. Wrong lyrics? in the Lyrics Window searches every source; the lyrics you use are kept for that song on every future play. You can also paste your own, load a file, or use a YouTube video's captions. It is a Pro feature; the automatic match is free.

Can I edit or time the lyrics myself?

Yes, with Pro. The lyrics editor lets you fix words, add or delete lines, and set each line's time as the song plays — or take the timing from a synced version of the song with Auto-sync. Changes save themselves, and your lyrics follow the song to any player.

Does it keep a history?

Yes, on this computer only. The free Library lists songs you played for at least 20 seconds, songs you identified and lines you starred. It is never sent anywhere. Settings › Lyrics › Remember played songs turns it off, and Clear history empties it.

How many overlays can I run?

Free: the standard Lyrics Window, with no desktop overlays. Pro: all desktop overlays, together if you want.

Will it get in the way of what I am doing?

Floating Lyrics and the Edge Strip never take focus, and by default clicks fall straight through both into the window behind. The Mini Bar and Widget take clicks by default — they have buttons — but never focus. Any overlay can be set to pass clicks through, or to fade out while the pointer is over it.

Does it work offline?

Cached lyrics work offline. New lyric lookups and song recognition need an internet connection. Pro features require an active trial or paid access.

Is there a mobile or browser version?

No. It reads what your computer is playing, which is not something a phone app or a browser extension can do.

Which features are macOS only?

Two: the lyric on the lock screen, and text in the menu bar. Both pages say so.

Does it upload what I listen to?

No. Detection is local, and the Library's history stays on your computer. Looking up lyrics sends the song's title, artist and album and length to lyric sources. A YouTube link… asks YouTube for that video's captions. Optional song recognition uses the microphone and sends recognition data to the recognition service. See Privacy.

Can I use one licence on my laptop and my desktop?

Yes, up to the device limit. Settings are per machine, so each can show different things.

How do I quit it?

Tray › Quit 9xLyrics. Closing the Settings window only closes the window — the app normally keeps running. With Pro Follow music player enabled, a session opened automatically also quits when the selected native player exits. Sessions opened manually remain independent.